Good morning, TexMessagers! Do you see Sen. Cruz as a national conservative leader? Or THE leader?

TEXclusive

Sen. Ted Cruz didn’t just receive a lot of attention on national television following his speech at the South Carolina GOP’s Silver Elephant Dinner this weekend. Reports say the freshman Senator also schmoozed with some of the state’s top political donors.

POLITICO reports the Texan held a private, more exclusive event with a group of 15 major donors to the South Carolina Republican Party before the state party’s annual dinner last Friday. Though the article says Cruz didn’t collect any money for his own campaign, the connections can’t hurt whatever ambitious plans he may have for the future.

Glenn McCall, a South Carolina Republican National Committee member who attended the donor event, told POLITICO Cruz was well received.

During his speech at the dinner’s main event, Cruz’s main message was a rallying call to maintain conservative freedom.

“Right now we’re seeing our freedom under assault everyday because our constitutional liberties are threatened. We should stand for the constitution and every part of the Constitution,” Cruz said, highlighting the importance of the constitutional amendments.

He also paid tribute to former South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, an ardent supporter of Cruz who is off to lead the Heritage Foundation.

Cruz has remained pretty tight-lipped on future aspirations, as rumors swirl on a potential candidacy for president in 2016. After it was reported last week that a Cruz staffer said he was considering a run, he quickly responded on Facebook decrying any definitive decision. Several top South Carolina Republicans were quoted as saying that Cruz could use some more seasoning before seeking the presidency.

“The GOP needs more Chris Christies and Jon Huntsmans. Not more Ted Cruzes, Michelle Bachmans, or Sarah Palins. Republican politicians who give a few good speeches and who love the public eye will only further divide and ruin the GOP.”